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Fukuoka Wisteria Guide 2019

After the cherry blossom season ends, another tree comes into bloom in Fukuoka and across Kyushu. Wisteria have been adored by the Japanese since the Nara period (710 to 794 AD); they even appear in Manyoshu (the oldest existing collection of Japanese poetry, compiled during the 8th century). They can grow in harsh conditions, and some species boast edible flowers and roots and bark with medicinal qualities. Wisteria are at their best from the end of April to early May, and they’re loved for their sweet fragrance and vibrant colors. In Fukuoka, we’re lucky enough to have many glorious wisteria-viewing spots, including some which have been designated natural monuments of Japan, such as Nakayama no Ofuji in Yanagawa and Kurogi no Ofuji in Yame. Here we present twelve great wisteria spots in Fukuoka Prefecture for you to explore – so grab your camera and head out to experience the vibrant purple, white and pink curtains of wisteria.

*The places listed below are arranged in alphabetical order.

Buzoji Temple

See wisteria and one of Kyushu’s oldest temples together! The plants here are approximately 1,300 years old, and the flowers stretch down as far as one meter. The Futsukaichi Onsen Wisteria Festival is held on the day that the wisteria are considered to be at peak bloom – this year, that will be Apr. 29 (the beginning of Golden Week).

Hassho Shrine

This shrine is filled with wisteria, some of which are a few hundred years old. The shrine’s location within 65,000 m2 of virgin forest gives it a peaceful air, and it has been designated as a natural monument by the prefecture. Turn right once you’ve passed through the torii gate, and you’ll be greeted by swathes of wisteria.

Jozenji Temple (Kojo no Fuji)

Locals and tourists alike make the journey to see Jozenji Temple’s wisteria, which are designated natural monuments of Fukuoka Prefecture. The flowers of these 500-year-old plants cascade down as far as 1.5 m. These wisteria are called Kojo no Fuji and the plant has become the symbol of Fukutsu. A festival is held every year around Golden Week, which is when the wisteria are in full bloom (the event will fall on Apr. 29); around 50 Zen priests gather for a shakuhachi (bamboo flute) performance and to pray for a prolonged life.

Kamikusuda Tenmangu Shrine

Every year, the flowers at this shrine amaze visitors with their delightful fragrance and beautiful colors. The fujidana (wisteria shelf) stretches 21.3 m by 7.5 m. Depending on the year, the purple and white flowers of these 100-year-old plants drape down as far as a meter!

Kamitakaba no Ofuji (Fuji no Sato Park)

Locals and visitors from out of town make the journey to this wisteria-viewing spot, located on the grounds of a shrine. The wisteria here are at their best in late April, so on Apr. 21 there will be a festival to celebrate the full bloom, including dance and stage performances by locals and various booths.

Kawachi Wisteria Garden

This privately-operated garden boasts a 3,000 m2 wide and 200 m long dome-shaped tunnel with 22 different varieties of wisteria, making it one of the leading wisteria gardens in Japan. It’s also well-known overseas since CNN included it in their list of “Japan’s 36 Most Beautiful Places”. The lovely gradation of the flowers hanging from the tunnel will make visitors feel as if they’ve stepped right into a painting. Entrance fees vary with the stage of bloom and entrance throughout Golden Week (4/20 ~ 5/6) requires advanced tickets.

• Season: Late April ~ beginning of May
• Hours: 8:00~18:00
• Fee: At the start and end of blooming period ¥500, middle of blooming period ¥1,000, full bloom period ¥1,500, free for HS and under (available only at 7-Eleven and Family Mart)
• Age: Approx. 100 years
• Scale: Approx. 3,000 m2
• 2-2-48 Kawachi, Yahatahigashi-ku, Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka
• Access: Free shuttle bus available from JR Yahata Sta. (check the website for schedule). By car: get off the Sanji ramp or Otani ramp from Kitakyushu Expressway Route No. 4. 20 min. drive from there.
• Parking: Free (approx. 200 spaces)
• 093-652-0334
• https://kawachi-fujien.com/

Kisshoji Temple

Around late April, the grounds of this famous wisteria-viewing spot turn purple with blooming flowers, and you can walk beneath a canopy of purple and white wisteria! Go during the wisteria festival (Apr. 27 ~ Apr. 29) to peruse stalls alongside locals and visitors from out of town.

Kurogi no Ofuji

Kurogi in Yame is known for its thousands of beautiful wisteria, which create gorgeous purple curtains of flowers. These plants have been designated a natural monument of Japan. Yame Kurogi Wisteria Festival 2019 will be held from Apr. 16 to May 6. This wisteria spot is located by Japan National Route 442, inside Susano Shrine.

Maizuru Park Wisteria Garden

Enjoy wisteria in the heart of the city! 10 of the 30 wisteria plants here are over 100 years old and were moved here from Higashi Koen (Hakata-ku). Under the care of expert gardeners, the wisteria plants are now in better condition than ever. From Apr. 20 to 29, the Fukuoka Castle Fuji Festival will be held at the Fukuoka Castle Fuji Rest Area, where you can join tours around the castle grounds, koto performances and pop-up cafes on Apr. 20 and 21.

Nakayama no Ofuji

Designated a natural monument of Fukuoka Prefecture, Kumano Shrine’s 300-year-old trees drape wisteria across 1,700 ㎡ of trellises. These wisteria are at their peak from mid-April to late April, and to celebrate, the Nakayama Wisteria Festival is held from Apr. 15 (Mon.) to 28 (Sun.). By day, take in the sight and aroma of the cascading purple flowers (stretching down over a meter) and browse stalls selling local goods, then enjoy a different view during the nighttime light-up (until 22:00).

Onakatomi Shrine

The purple curtains of wisteria which cover 200 m2 of the Onakatomi Jinja Shrine’s grounds are known as Shogun Fuji. From late April to early May (4/14 to 5/5 in 2018), many visit the shrine’s Shogun Wisteria Festival. It might also interest visitors to know that although there are 34 shrines in Ogori City, this is the only one with a tower gate.

Umi Hachimangu Shrine

The approach to this shrine is lined with wisteria from mid-April to early May. Enjoy viewing wisteria against a backdrop of rich nature! The best day for wisteria viewing is predicted to be Apr. 29 – the start of Golden Week!

––––––––––––––––––––Originally written in March 2016, updated March 2019.Copyright Fukuoka Now – including all text, photos and illustrations. Permission required to re-use in any form. Meanwhile, feel free to link to to this page.

NOTE: The information presented here was gathered and summarized by the Fukuoka Now staff. While we have done our best to check for accuracy, there might be errors and details may have changed. If you notice any errors or changes, please contact us. This report was originally written in March 2016.